Boys track and field: Mesa boys open PCL with a bang
Steve Virgen
COSTA MESA - Irwin Salas and Zach Powell made sure the first Costa
Mesa High track and field meet at Orange Coast College would be a
memorable one, in the Mustang boys’ Pacific Coast League opener against
visiting University Thursday.
Salas, a senior who also earned All-PCL honors in cross country and
helped the Mustangs’ soccer team to its second straight PCL title in the
winter, won the 800-, 1,600 and 3,200-meter events. Moments after winning
the 3,200 (10:33.0), he ran in the Mustangs’ victorious 1,600 relay, with
Carlos Ibarra, Danny Krikorian and Powell. Salas’ performance led to a
75-57 victory over the Trojans, in Mesa Coach George Greenwalt’s PCL
debut.
Salas is a reflection of Greenwalt’s new attitude for the Mustangs.
Greenwalt, who was on the coaching staff last year and coached defensive
backs and wide receivers on the Mustangs’ varsity football team in the
fall, has called for a “no-nonsense” theme for this season.
“The kids have to show up at the same time to practice every day,”
said Greenwalt, who starred as a pass catcher at Newport Harbor High,
Class of 1991. “They’re expected to wear their school colors, to learn
and to train hard. If they miss practice, they’ll miss the meet. We’re
here to have fun, but I want them be more serious. They shouldn’t be on
the team just to get out of P.E. class.”
Greenwalt’s emotional and intense style of coaching has also resulted
in a unified concept for the Mustangs, which attracted Krikorian, who
started on the basketball team and was sought after to play for the
volleyball squad.
Krikorian, like Powell and Devant Xoai, was a double winner. Krikorian
completed personal-best performances with his wins in the long jump
(19-9) and the triple jump (37-8). He skied to 19-9 in the long jump on
his last attempt, after posting violations in his first two jumps.
Powell raced to wins in the 200 (23.2) and 400 (52.4), while Xoai won
the 110 and 300 hurdles.
The all-weather, rubber track helped Powell, the junior track standout
said. He had a personal best in the 200 and the 400 was his best time
this year.
“I love this track,” Powell said. “It’s really great on my legs. I
have a little bit of shin splints, so the track feels good on them.”
Powell also said he plans to compete in the 300 hurdles, and has
qualifying for CIF as one of his many goals.
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